On 29 and 30 August 2024, the PSA Community Services Departmental Committee (DC), your newly elected PSA Delegates met at PSA House to discuss the current ‘Child Protection in Crisis’ campaign and other issues facing members in Child Protection. Below is a summary of the main issues discussed:

The new steering committee was elected and are as follows:

Chair: Sue Nichols – Delegate Ballina

Secretary: Sheldon Sowter – Delegate Helpline

Vice Chair: Tina Huggett – Delegate Hunter Central Coast

Assistant Secretary: Kellie Jermyn – Delegate Tweed Heads

Assistant Secretary: Daniel Shorter – Delegate Kempsey

Child Protection in Crisis Campaign

As our members would be aware, the ‘Child Protection in Crisis’ campaign has been ongoing since May 2024. The goal of this campaign has been for the Minns government to:

• Recruit another 500 caseworkers
• Give child protection workers an immediate and substantial pay rise
• Insource Out of Home Care

Due to the lack of action by the Department and the Government to demonstrate that the work being done to support the children and families is valued, your DC Delegates passed the following motion:

“At the Departmental Committee meeting on 30/08/2024, it was agreed that half day strike action would be taken in relation to child protection being in crisis. Members of the Public Service Association pass the motion to take half day strike action due to the lack of action taken by the Department and Government, despite their acknowledgment of the crisis of lack of resources within Child Protection.”

As a result, the half day strike occurred on the 2nd September 2024. This action was taken by members because the child protection system in NSW is in crisis! We can’t attract and retain Caseworkers, we need a pay rise, 500 new Caseworkers more and foster care returned to government hands.

The Departmental Committee will hold a planning day on 9 October to further develop the Child Protection in Crisis campaign. If you have any issues or suggestions to contribute to the campaign, please contact your local Delegates or Departmental Committee Delegates as below;

Flexible Workplace Arrangements

Delegates expressed concern in relation to the inconsistencies across the State, noting that some areas have been directed to return to the office five days a week following the Premier’s circular. Delegates highlighted the workforce is predominantly women and warned that the Department could lose valuable staff if flexibility is not maintained.

Delegates also discussed the importance of encouraging members with disabilities or caring responsibilities to apply for workplace adjustments to ensure they can access flexible working arrangements. The issue of members being unable to work from home due to childcare responsibilities will be brought to the Women’s Council for further discussion.

After Hours Response Team

The After-Hours Response Team (AHRT) has been through great upheaval since March 2024. There has been a cultural review with many recommendations being provided but not yet implemented. The review highlighted many inadequacies of the senior management and its impact on team moral and effectiveness.

Recruitment and retention of Child Protection Staff

Delegates discussed the qualifications required for the Caseworker role. Concerns are held this requirement of tertiary-qualified applicants in the West of the State, where staffing levels are at an all-time low has resulted in some Community Service Centres (CSCs) being non-operational.

Delegates proposed strategies such as creating pathways from universities and establishing cadetships or traineeships. This agenda item will be discussed further in the Community Services workforce workgroup and at the DC planning day on 9 October 2024.

DCJ System reform

The PSA and Delegates will have ongoing consultation meetings with Acting Deputy Secretary Paul O’Reilly for the system reforms that are underway with a focus on policy and practice issues in child protection and OOHC. Paul will attend the November Departmental Committee meeting to provide a briefing and PSA will provide an update to members.

Casework Specialists role change

Written feedback was provided to PSA and consultation is still occurring. There are 72 CWS across the state that are impacted. Since the DC, the Department has responded to the feedback submitted by the PSA. We will keep members informed of developments through separate bulletins.

PSA Industrial bans

A review of the current PSA bans will be reviewed at the upcoming DC planning day in line with the current ‘Child Protection in Crisis’ campaign.

Family Time Worker role update

Recruitment for Family Time Workers (FTWs) is ongoing, with positions advertised and awaiting final approval from DCJ. FTWs will be casual workers with flexible shifts, and support (e.g., interview coaching, first aid, car seat installation training) is being provided.

Workload Planner

Implementation of a new workload planner appears to have stalled. PSA has directions for all members to use the current workload planner to assist members in managing workload and burnout.

Supervision Policy

Delegates discussed the quality and value of individual and group supervision, originally designed for psychosocial group support. Individual Supervision is managerial in nature and concerns held for expertise and training held by management delivery. DCJ does not provide professional supervision however some Districts have employed external professionals to provide individual sessions for psychosocial supervision.

New Mental Health Grant: There is a new grant available. Funding can be requested through the Employee Assistance Program (EAPS) to attend sites.